Premier says a committee to be set up to formulate long-term strategic plan to address flood problems in Sarawak

BINTULU, Jan 14 2026: The Sarawak government will formulate a more comprehensive solution through long-term planning to address the flood issue more effectively and sustainably, Premier Abang johari Openg said, after visiting the flood-affected areas here, today.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg speaking to reporters after visiting the flood victims in Bintulu  - Picture by Ukas 

He said he would set up a committee at the state level to formulate a strategic plan and identify the best solution.

“Detailed discussions need to be carried out first and I will not make any early announcements as this involves long-term planning,” he said.

He also informed that engineering capabilities and technical aspects will be among the main considerations in formulating the flood mitigation plan, in line with the Sarawak government’s desire to ensure that the infrastructure developed is more resilient to extreme weather changes.

During the visit, the premier received a detailed briefing on the current developments in the flood and visited the Temporary Evacuation Center (PPS) to ensure that the welfare and safety of victims were always given priority.

According to him, the monitoring results found that the Sebauh district was identified as the most affected area, although rain was also reported to occur around Bintulu town.

This situation, he said, reflects the challenges in predicting the actual impact of extreme weather.

Commenting on the accuracy of weather forecasts, the premier explained that reports from the Meteorological Department were not necessarily able to accurately determine the location of the rain even though the time period of the incident could be identified.

“In some cases, weather reports show accuracy in terms of timing, but the location of the rain event cannot be fully ascertained,” he said.

He said this situation caused the rain predicted to occur in the Bintulu urban area to have a more significant impact in other areas such as Sebauh, thus posing challenges in implementing early mitigation measures.

Touching on the physical damage caused by the flood, especially involving public infrastructure such as roads, he informed that repair works would not be carried out in the near future to prevent repeated damage.

“Infrastructure restoration works cannot be carried out at this time because there is a possibility of a second wave of monsoon in February. If repairs are carried out now, the risk of repeated damage is high.

“Therefore, reconstruction will be carried out after the monsoon season ends,” he explained.

Abang Johari said the flood situation in Bintulu is improving, with 66 Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) opened in the initial stages of the incident.

However, as of today, he said 56 PPS have been closed, and only 10 PPS are still operating to accommodate victims who are still affected.

“In the initial stages of the incident, the number of flood victims was recorded as 7,465 people. “However, the figure has shown a significant decrease and so far, the total number of victims who are still affected is 1,638 people,” he said.

 

After AGC classfied Ahmad Zahid's case under NFA, Sarawak activist wants MACC to re-investigate Yayasan Akalbudi case

KUCHING, Jan 14 2026: Sarawak human rights activist Peter John Jaban has called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to immediately revive and independently re-investigate the Yayasan Akalbudi case involving Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, following the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to take “No Further Action” (NFA) despite a clear judicial finding that the case warranted a full trial.

Peter John Jaban: Anything less is a denial of justice 

He noted that the High Court had already ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and that Ahmad Zahid was required to enter his defence.

“In any functioning justice system, a prima facie ruling is not the end of the process; rather, it is the beginning of accountability.

“Once the court has determined that sufficient evidence exists, the trial must be allowed to run its full course, ending either in conviction or acquittal after the evidence is tested in open court.

“Anything less is a denial of justice,” Peter stressed.

He recalled that on Sept 4, 2023. the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted Zahid Hamidi a discharge not amounting to Acquittal (DNAA) on all 47 charges in the Yayasan Akalbudi trial after the prosecution declined to continue the case at that stage.

He also noted that on January 8. 2026  the AGC formally announced a NFA decision on Ahmad Zahid’s Yayasan Akalbudi case, closing the prosecution of all 47 charges and stating that no further action will be taken due to insufficient evidence after further review and investigation.

Peter stressed that Zahid Hamidi was not cleared because the evidence collapsed or failed, but because the prosecution was halted before the court could determine guilt or innocence.

“This was not an acquittal on merit,” he said. “It was an administrative decision that shielded a powerful individual from full judicial scrutiny.

“The public is now being asked to accept an outcome without truth, transparency, or closure.”

Peter contrasted this outcome with the conviction of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, which demonstrated that accountability is possible when institutions are allowed to function independently and without interference.

“That same standard must apply to Zahid Hamidi,” he said. “Justice cannot be selective.”

Under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, all persons are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection.

 According to Peter, that constitutional guarantee becomes meaningless when prosecutions are pursued to their conclusion for some, while others are abruptly halted despite clear judicial findings.

“When one accused is compelled to answer fully before the courts while another is shielded from a final verdict despite sufficient evidence, it sends a dangerous message that justice in Malaysia is negotiable,” Peter said. “This is not equality before the law.

 "This is selective justice or double standard"

He stressed that this outcome is grossly unfair not only to Najib Razak, but to all individuals who were required to face the full judicial process and were ultimately convicted.

Peter added that such selective treatment undermines public confidence in the justice system and erodes trust in prosecutorial and enforcement institutions.

He further pointed out that although the Malaysian Bar previously sought judicial review of the AGC’s decision to grant Zahid a DNAA, the challenge was dismissed solely on procedural grounds, without any judicial examination of whether the decision itself was lawful, reasonable, or made in the public interest.

“The substance of the decision has never been tested in court,” Peter said.

 “That unresolved issue continues to haunt this case and fuel public distrust.”

Against this backdrop, Peter stressed that MACC cannot hide behind prosecutorial decisions.

He added under Section 7 of the MACC Act 2009, MACC has an independent statutory duty to investigate corruption, abuse of power, and offences involving public office.

That duty, he said, does not disappear simply because a prosecution is paused, discontinued, or politically inconvenient.

“When allegations involve a sitting Deputy Prime Minister, public funds, and abuse of power, MACC has both a legal and moral obligation to act,” Peter said. “Silence is not neutrality. Silence is complicity.”

Peter warned that the growing perception of double standards in the handling of Zahid Hamidi’s case poses a grave threat to public confidence in Malaysia’s institutions and to the rule of law itself.

“Najib’s conviction showed that justice is possible in this country,” he said. “But justice loses its meaning when it is applied unevenly. The rule of law cannot survive selective enforcement.”

“For Malaysia to remain a constitutional democracy governed by law,” Peter concluded, “every case regardless of political rank or power  must be investigated fully and fearlessly.

“ MACC must act now. Justice must be equal, transparent, and uncompromising, or it is not justice at all,” he called.

 

 

Police investigating the deaths of school headmaster, nurse wife, believed to be murder victims, in Simanggang

SIMANGGANG, Jan 14 2026: Police here are investigating the deaths of a primary school headmaster and his nurse wife who were found dead with serious bodily injuries at their home in Taman Mutiara, Jalan Brayun, here this morning.

Caption: A team of police personnel at the house of the victims 

Police Commissioner Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the police received information from a member of the public regarding the discovery of the couple unconscious at 6.55am.

He said a team of personnel from the Sri Aman district police headquarters together with medical officers from Sri Aman Hospital were deployed to the scene upon receiving the report.

“The results of the examination confirmed that both victims had died. The case is currently being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code,” he said in a statement today.

He said the motive and cause of the incident were still under investigation, and the police were actively collecting evidence and witness statements to assist in the investigation of the case.

He said the victims,  a 45-year-old man and his 44-year-old wife, had died at the location.

Mohamad Zainal urged the public who has any information regarding the incident to contact the Investigating Officer Assistant Superintendent Kalang at 019-331 7785 or contact the Sri Aman IPD District Control Centre and the nearest police station.

“The public’s cooperation is very important to assist in the investigation and ensure that community safety continues to be maintained.

The public is also advised not to make any speculation regarding this incident and to give the police space to conduct a thorough investigation,” he said.

It is learned that the the male victim worked as a headmaster at a school in Lubok Antu, Sri Aman while his wife was a nurse.

The couple’s bodies were found by their son after they realized that neither of them had left the room.